Ark. Rice Council, Rice Producers’ Group hold annual meeting

Arkansas Rice Council President Steve Orlicek and Arkansas Rice Producers' Group Chairman Dow Brantley welcomed over 400 attendees to the event, which included 32 exhibits, educational sessions and award presentations.

Members of the Arkansas Rice Council, the Arkansas Rice Producers' Group and other rice industry stakeholders gathered last Friday at the Northeast Arkansas District Fairgrounds for a joint annual meeting. Arkansas Rice Council President Steve Orlicek and Arkansas Rice Producers' Group Chairman Dow Brantley welcomed over 400 attendees to the event, which included 32 exhibits, educational sessions and award presentations.

USA Rice Federation President and CEO Betsy Ward updated attendees on the Federation's budget and efforts to promote U.S. rice in domestic and international markets. Ward reviewed the USA Rice response to a Sept. 2012 Consumer Reports article on arsenic in rice and discussed the accomplishments, opportunities and challenges for the industry when dealing with this issue. She thanked Arkansas legislators Gov. Mike Beebe (D), U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) for their advocacy on behalf of the rice industry.

USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Reece Langley reviewed the one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill and provided an update on crop insurance for 2013, which includes premium rate adjustments, a downed rice endorsement option and trend yield adjustments.

The featured speaker, Greg Cole, president and CEO of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, presented the 2013 Commodity Ag Lending Forecast to attendees.

The Rice Industry Awards luncheon was sponsored by Farmers Supply Association and honored those who have contributed to the success of the industry. he Lifetime of Public Service to the Rice Industry award was presented by Rep. Rick Crawford to Leslie Doan, who accepted the award on behalf of her late husband Stewart Doan, an award-winning journalist who covered agricultural issues.

The Excellence in Promotion award was presented to former Arkansas Rice Council President Robert Petter.